Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame met Israel’s leadership on Monday in Jerusalem and said he was looking forward to reinforcing cooperation between the countries.

Kagame, on a two-day visit to the region, met Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Kagame is widely admired for restoring stability after Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, presiding over rapid economic growth and a relatively corruption-free government.

Netanyahu, who visited Rwanda last year as part of three nation tour to Africa, said the two countries shared a ‘ great bond’ – having both experienced genocide in their histories.

Kagame will run for a third term on August 4 against Frank Habineza, nominated by the opposition Democratic Green Party, and Philippe Mpayimana.